When I had mine drilled, it looked like a red straw came out and it left a hole in the bottom of the thumb. I emailed them and they said the "red straw" was what held in the mini-nugget, not to worry. Most others use fishing line, but I'm not complaining, this ball has been great.
I'm averaging 225 with it (versus 212 before), with a 279 game this week (10 pin in the 9th, put it out on the lane a little bit farther than the rest).
Next ball will be a Lane #1 also.